Respecting the Opinion of Others - Part 3

Date: 2014-05-10 Author: Vaijayantimala dasi

Hare Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev!

This is in conclusion of the previous offerings highlighting the value of respecting the opinions of subordinates and associates and herein we see this with regard to women.

In these days of feminism, the general opinion is that women in the olden days were not given proper respect and they were completely subjugated by men and had no voice of their own. But our scriptures prove this wrong and we have ample examples of how Vedic women were accorded great respect and were always consulted on important issues.

In Srimad we find that Lord consults Mata on important issues and the following verse spoken by the lord stands proof of it. "Certainly all these words were spoken by you due to your kind-heartedness and affection for Me. I am very pleased with you, O Sita, for indeed one does not offer instructions and advice to another without caring for them." (Lord Rama speaking to Sita Devi, Ramayana, Aranya Kanda, 10.20)

In Srimad Bhagavatam, in the pastime of churning the milky ocean, initially poison was produced and when Lord saw that the poison was spreading everywhere and all the living entities were suffering, He became very compassionate and before drinking the poison, explains to his eternal consort , how the living entities are suffering because of poison and how it is the duty of the devotees to protect the suffering dependents and how lord Hari would be completely pleased by this activity and thus he asks for her permission to drink the poison. In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 8.7.41 Sukadeva Goswami says,

śrī-śuka uvāca evam āmantrya bhagavān bhavānīṁ viśva-bhāvanaḥ tad viṣaṁ jagdhum ārebhe prabhāva-jñānvamodata

Srila Sukadev Goswami continued, After informing Bhavaani in this way, Lord Siva began to drink the poison, and Bhavaani, who knew perfectly well the capabilities of Lord Siva, gave him her permission to do so.

Lord Siva knows that Sati, being – Universal mother, is more compassionate than him and would not stop him from this service, yet we see his exalted nature in explaining things to her before taking action. In Srimad Bhagavatam, we see that Svaymbhuva who had two sons, handed over his first daughter Akuti to Ruci, on the condition that the son born of his daughter be returned to him as his son, since he knew that the Supreme Personality of Godhead would take birth in the womb of Akuti. In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 4.1.2 we see that he did this in consultation with his wife.

ākūtiṁ rucaye prādād api bhrātṛmatīṁ nṛpaḥ putrikā-dharmam āśritya śatarūpānumoditaḥ

Ākūti had two brothers, but in spite of her brothers, King Svāyambhuva Manu handed her over to Prajāpati Ruci on the condition that the son born of her be returned to Manu as his son. This he did in consultation with his wife, Śatarūpā. Similarly, King Svayambhuva Manu offered his daughter Devahuti in marriage to Kardama muni and Srimad Bhagavatam declares in 3.22.22:

so ’nu jñātvā vyavasitaṁ mahiṣyā duhituḥ sphuṭam tasmai guṇa-gaṇāḍhyāya dadau tulyāṁ praharṣitaḥ

After having unmistakably known the decision of the Queen, as well as that of Devahuti, the Emperor most gladly gave his daughter to the sage, whose host of virtues was equaled by hers.

Thus the girls were married off after getting their opinion and to a boy equal in virtues to her. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has also taught us by his personal example. Even after taking sannyas, He respected the opinion of His mother Sachi mata to stay in and abided by her words and stayed in Puri. Thus all these pastimes teach us the value of respecting the opinion of others and that is the foundation for our loving relationships.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Vaijayantimala devi dasi Abu Dhabi.